Greetings!
Our repeat guests may notice that we're sprucing things up in La Plata. While fun attractions and beautiful landscaping are always works in progress, see what we've accomplished this summer. Join us for this and other news you can use, courtesy of the Depot Inn & Suites!
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New Model Railroad Display Opens September 1
The Depot Inn & Suites and the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation are pleased to announce that a new, interactive model railroad display has been built and brought into operation in one of our former Amtrak Mail Handling Cars. It will be available for free public viewing and operation starting September 1, 2009.
The O-gauge, 3-rail layout features trains by Lionel.
The display was created by Darrell Reinwald of St. Louis and coincides with improvements to the railcars (see below).
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Amtrak Railcar Restoration Underway
Exterior painting and restoration of both former Amtrak Mail Handling
Cars in La Plata have begun and will be complete by October 1. New stripes
and decals are being made by B&H Graphics in Kirksville, Missouri
and will be applied once the painting is complete. As you can see in the below comparison shots, even applying just a coat of primer can make a big difference!
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Walking Garden Under Development
 A new walking garden is under development near the Depot Inn & Suites. A flower pattern has been mowed
into the field adjacent to the Chris Guenzler Million Mile Lookout Point. Clyde Burch, a local
volunteer gardener, will soon be planting flowers and plants and
installing bird houses for all to enjoy.On July 25 the first annual Silver Rails Flower Fest was held at the
Silver Rails Park, Silver Rails Event Center, in La Plata.
Many local Master Gardeners (this is a state certification), as well as
many local citizens, participated in the tours that were offered by Clyde Burch. Tours focused on plant
identification and history, with more than 100 plant species available,
including orchids, carnivorous plans, lycopersicum, and fiddleneck. Thank you, Clyde, for your valuable contributions to our understanding of the nature that surrounds us! |
Track Your Amtrak Trains!
Ever wonder where your Amtrak train is... or where all of them are, for that matter? Now you can track the progress of most trains operating in the Amtrak system with Amtrak Status Maps, a non-Amtrak-affiliated public service of the Carolinas Association for Passenger Trains. Enjoy!
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